Periodically, we like to share CPA success stories with our readers. This first-person account was written by Llonae Popley Ballintine. When people ask me why I chose accounting, I often think back to my childhood. Growing up in an immigrant family, money management was not an abstract concept—it was part of everyday life. 

When you're comparing CMA Exam prep, price is usually one of the first things you consider. That makes sense; between IMA membership, the CMA entrance fee, exam fees for both parts, and your review course, earning your Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential is a real investment and you want every dollar to count. But the sticker price alone isn't the only indicator of which option is best for you.

The benefit of being an accountant is that the foundational skills, licenses and certifications you have are applicable across industries. Plus, there are ample opportunities to continue your education with courses that bring in new skills and perspectives to position you for a career change. As you grow your skills, you can take advantage of a variety of industries' need for forward-looking perspectives and agile learning in their accounting departments. One of the industries most in need is pharmaceutical. Let's look at pharmaceutical accounting and whether it's right for you.

Real estate accounting is a growing and lucrative field that provides exciting opportunities for CPAs and accountants, whether you’re taking the first step into your career or a veteran searching for a new challenge. And if you’re already employed as a real estate accountant, you know that the industry is constantly changing — meaning there are always new skills to develop and regulations to learn.

Accountants are the unsung heroes of healthy and profitable businesses. You play an invaluable role, helping organizations stay compliant with tax and reporting regulations, remain fiscally responsible, and identify and strategize around ideal growth areas. This is especially true in the healthcare industry where quality of care relies on good financial management. If you're looking to advance your career or want to choose an industry where you can help others more directly, healthcare accounting may be a great fit for you. 

Learn about the importance of banking accounting and how to get started in this industry.

Accounting professionals who want to branch outside the functional tasks of accounting may consider becoming an accounting consultant. To learn if this is a great next step for you, learn more about accounting consultants, what they do, how much they earn, and how to become one. 

The CPA Exam is composed of three Core Exam sections and one Discipline Exam, chosen from three options. The Information Systems and Controls (ISC) section is one of these three Disciplines, testing candidates on IT audit, data governance, cybersecurity, and System and Organization Controls (SOC) engagements.

Macros allow you to easily automate repetitive Microsoft Excel tasks, freeing up your time for more important activities, ensuring consistency, and improving your efficiency. Whether you're creating financial reports or managing data, learning how to run macro in Excel will improve your productivity and make your job easier! 

One of the biggest questions you're facing as you begin starting your CPA Exam prep is whether it's worth paying more for a full review course or if you should you go with a cheap CPA review with fewer features.